U.S. patent number 10,507,368 [Application Number 15/611,172] was granted by the patent office on 2019-12-17 for baseball or softball bat.
This patent grant is currently assigned to MIZUNO CORPORATION. The grantee listed for this patent is MIZUNO CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Brendan Troy Kays, Kohei Kikuchi, Yohei Yamashita.
United States Patent |
10,507,368 |
Kikuchi , et al. |
December 17, 2019 |
Baseball or softball bat
Abstract
A bat according to the present disclosure includes a ball
hitting portion, a grip portion, a tapered portion that connects
the ball hitting portion and the grip portion together, and a
restriction member. The ball hitting portion is internally
hollowed. The restriction member is disposed inside the ball
hitting portion. The restriction member is in the form of a ring.
The restriction member is disposed such that a radial direction
thereof is transverse to a longitudinal direction of the ball
hitting portion.
Inventors: |
Kikuchi; Kohei (Osaka,
JP), Yamashita; Yohei (Atlanta, GA), Kays; Brendan
Troy (Norcross, GA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MIZUNO CORPORATION |
Osaka |
N/A |
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
MIZUNO CORPORATION (Osaka,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
64459124 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/611,172 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180345102 A1 |
Dec 6, 2018 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
59/51 (20151001); A63B 59/58 (20151001); A63B
2102/18 (20151001); A63B 2209/02 (20130101); A63B
60/08 (20151001) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
59/51 (20150101); A63B 59/58 (20150101); A63B
60/08 (20150101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Vanderveen; Jeffrey S
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Troutman Sanders LLP Sharpe; Daniel
T.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A bat comprising: an internally hollow, ball hitting portion
having an inner diameter; a grip portion; a tapered portion
connecting the ball hitting portion and the grip portion together;
a restriction member disposed inside the ball hitting portion in a
form of a ring, wherein the restriction member has a length in an
axial direction of the bat that is between 3.5 mm and 15.0 mm and a
thickness in a radial direction such that the length is greater
than the thickness; a core member disposed inside the ball hitting
portion and positionally fixing the restriction member; and wherein
prior to an external impact the inner diameter of the ball hitting
portion is greater than an outer diameter of the restriction
member.
2. The bat according to claim 1, wherein the ball hitting portion
is formed of fiber-reinforced plastic.
3. The bat according to claim 1, wherein the core member comprises:
a first core member disposed inside the restriction member; and a
second core member disposed outside the first core member, wherein
the second core member abuts the restriction member on at least two
opposite faces of the restriction member in order to positionally
fix the restriction member in the axial direction of the bat.
4. The bat according to claim 3, wherein the first core member is
larger in hardness than the second core member.
5. The bat according to claim 3, wherein the first core member is
larger in density than the second core member.
6. The bat according to claim 1, wherein the restriction member is
formed of a metal material, fiber-reinforced plastic, or resin.
7. The bat according to claim 1, wherein prior to an external
impact the inner diameter of the ball hitting portion is at least 5
mm greater than an outer diameter of the restriction member.
8. The bat according to claim 1, wherein the restriction member has
a coefficient of restitution sufficient to suppress the deformation
of the ball hitting portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to a baseball or softball bat. More
specifically, the present disclosure relates to a baseball or
softball bat having restitution performance close to a limit
value.
Description of the Background Art
Conventionally, a bat described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,632,428 (Patent
Document 1) is known. The bat described in Patent Document 1
includes a barrel, a handle, a transition region connecting the
barrel and the handle, a central tube, and a restriction member.
The barrel is internally hollowed. The central tube extends inside
the barrel along a longitudinal axis of the barrel, and is located
coaxially with the barrel. The restriction member is washer-shaped.
The restriction member is positioned transverse to the longitudinal
axis of the barrel. Deformation of the barrel is limited by the
barrel coming into contact with the restriction member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A bat according to the present disclosure includes a ball hitting
portion, a grip portion, a tapered portion that connects the ball
hitting portion and the grip portion together, and a restriction
member. The ball hitting portion is internally hollowed. The
restriction member is disposed inside the ball hitting portion. The
restriction member is in the form of a ring. The restriction member
is disposed such that a radial direction thereof is transverse to a
longitudinal direction of the ball hitting portion.
The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages
of the present invention will become more apparent from the
following detailed description of the present invention when taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of a bat according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II of FIG.
1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line III-III of FIG.
1.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for producing a bat
according to an embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a graph representing a coefficient of restitution of a
bat according to an embodiment before and after an ABI test.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a bat according to a
comparative example in a longitudinal direction thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a bat according to the present
disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the
drawings. In the figures, identical or corresponding components are
identically denoted. Furthermore, the embodiments described below
may at least partially be combined together, as desired.
(Configuration of Bat According to Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a configuration of a bat according to an embodiment
will be described.
The bat according to the embodiment is a baseball or softball bat
for example. FIG. 1 is a side view of a bat 10 according to the
embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, bat 10 according to the embodiment
has a first end 10a and a second end 10b. First end 10a is an end
of bat 10 according to the embodiment on the side of the head.
Second end 10b is an end opposite to the first end. That is, second
end 10b is an end of bat 10 according to the embodiment on the side
of the grip end. The bat according to the embodiment is configured
to extend in a longitudinal direction 10c. Longitudinal direction
10c is a direction extending from second end 10b toward first end
10a. Longitudinal direction 10c is indicated by an arrow in FIG.
1.
Bat 10 according to the embodiment has a ball hitting portion 1, a
grip portion 2, and a tapered portion 3. Ball hitting portion 1 is
a portion for hitting a ball. Ball hitting portion 1 is located on
the first end 10a side. Grip portion 2 is a portion that a batter
grips during use. Grip portion 2 is located on the second end 10b
side. Tapered portion 3 is a portion connecting ball hitting
portion 1 and grip portion 2 together. Ball hitting portion 1 is
larger in thickness than grip portion 2. The tapered portion is
tapered from the ball hitting portion 1 side toward the grip
portion 2 side.
Ball hitting portion 1, grip portion 2 and tapered portion 3 are
mainly formed of FRP. For example, FRP is composed of thermosetting
resin and reinforcing fiber. The reinforcing fiber contained in FRP
is, for example, carbon fiber. However, the reinforcing fiber is
not limited thereto. The reinforcing fiber may be glass fiber. The
thermosetting resin composing the FRP is, for example, epoxy resin.
However, the thermosetting resin is not limited thereto. Ball
hitting portion 1, grip portion 2 and tapered portion 3 may be
formed by laminating a plurality of FRP layers. Each layer of FRP
may have its reinforcing fibers oriented differently than the other
layers of FRP.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II of FIG.
1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line III-III of
FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, ball hitting portion 1 has an
interior partially hollowed. Grip portion 2 and tapered portion 3
may each also have an interior partially hollowed. Ball hitting
portion 1 may have an opening 1a at first end 10a. Bat 10 according
to the embodiment may have a lid 4. Lid 4 is fitted into opening
1a.
Ball hitting portion 1 has an inner circumferential surface 1b and
an outer circumferential surface 1c. Ball hitting portion 1 has an
inner diameter d1, an outer diameter D1, and a thickness W1.
Thickness W1 is a distance between inner circumferential surface 1b
and outer circumferential surface 1c. When bat 10 according to the
embodiment is a baseball bat, inner diameter d1 is 45 mm or more
and 70 mm or less, for example, and outer diameter D1 is 55 mm or
more and 75 mm or less, for example. When bat 10 according to the
embodiment is a softball bat, inner diameter d1 is 50 mm or more
and 60 mm or less, for example, and outer diameter D1 is 50.5 mm or
more and 70 mm or less. Thickness W1 is selected as appropriate
depending on a coefficient of restitution as desired.
Bat 10 according to the embodiment has a restriction member 5.
Restriction member 5 is disposed inside ball hitting portion 1.
Restriction member 5 may be disposed such that restriction member 5
and ball hitting portion 1 have their respective central axes
matching each other. Restriction member 5 is not limited in number.
Restriction member 5 may be single in number. Restriction member 5
may be plural in number. Restriction member 5 is formed of a
material such as a metal material, FRP, or other resin for example.
The metal material used for restriction member 5 includes aluminum,
an aluminum alloy, titanium, a titanium alloy, magnesium, a
magnesium alloy, steel, iron for example.
Restriction member 5 is disposed in a vicinity of a sweet spot of
ball hitting portion 1. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, when
two restriction members 5 are provided, restriction member 5
closest to first end 10a is referred to as a first restriction
member 51, and the other restriction member 5 is referred to as a
second restriction member 52. In that case, first restriction
member 51 is disposed at a position distant from first end 10a by a
distance DIS. Distance DIS is a distance from first end 10a in
longitudinal direction 10c. Distance DIS is, for example, 75 mm or
more and 200 mm or less. Distance DIS may be 100 mm or more and 175
mm or less.
Restriction member 5 is in the form of a ring. That is, restriction
member 5 has an annular shape in a plane view as viewed from the
first end 10a side. It suffices that restriction member 5 has a
substantially annular shape in a plane view. For example,
restriction member 5 may have an elliptically annular shape in a
plane view.
Restriction member 5 has a top surface 5a and a bottom surface 5b.
Top surface 5a intersects longitudinal direction 10c. Preferably,
top surface 5a is a surface orthogonal to longitudinal direction
10c. Bottom surface 5b is a surface opposite to top surface 5a.
Restriction member 5 has an inner circumferential surface 5c and an
outer circumferential surface 5d. Inner circumferential surface 5c
is a surface opposite to outer circumferential surface 5d.
Restriction member 5 has a length T1 and a thickness W2.
Restriction member 5 has an inner diameter d2 and an outer diameter
D2.
Length T1 is a distance between top surface 5a and bottom surface
5b. Thickness W2 is a distance between inner circumferential
surface 5c and outer circumferential surface 5d. Outer diameter D2
is smaller than inner diameter d1. In other words, outer
circumferential surface 5d is not in contact with inner
circumferential surface 1b.
Length T1, thickness W2, inner diameter d2, and outer diameter D2
are appropriately selected with restriction member 5 considered in
rigidity and weight. Length T1 is, for example, 3.5 mm or more and
15.0 mm or less. Inner diameter d2 is, for example, 25.0 mm or more
and 45.0 mm or less. Outer diameter D2 is, for example, 38.0 mm or
more and 60.0 mm or less. Thickness W2 is, for example, 4.3 mm or
more and 15.0 mm or less. The difference between outer diameter D2
and inner diameter d1 affects an amount by which ball hitting
portion 1 deflects when a ball impacts it. That is, the difference
between outer diameter D2 and inner diameter d1 affects the
coefficient of restitution of ball hitting portion 1. Accordingly,
the difference between outer diameter D2 and inner diameter d1 is
appropriately selected according to a coefficient of restitution as
desired.
Restriction member 5 is disposed such that a radial direction
thereof is transverse to longitudinal direction 10c. Restriction
member 5 may be disposed such that a radial direction thereof is
orthogonal to longitudinal direction 10c. From a different
viewpoint, restriction member 5 may be disposed such that a
lengthwise direction thereof is along longitudinal direction 10c.
From another viewpoint, restriction member 5 may be disposed such
that outer circumferential surface 5d faces inner circumferential
surface 1b of ball hitting portion 1. The lengthwise direction
refers to a direction from top surface 5a toward bottom surface 5b,
and the radial direction refers to a direction from inner
circumferential surface 5c toward outer circumferential surface
5d.
Bat 10 according to the embodiment may have a core member 6. Core
member 6 is disposed inside ball hitting portion 1. Core member 6
is disposed around restriction member 5. When this is seen from
another viewpoint, restriction member 5 is disposed such that it is
covered with core member 6. Further, restriction member 5 is
positionally fixed inside ball hitting portion 1 by core member 6.
Core member 6 may have a cylindrical shape.
Core member 6 may have a first core member 61 and a second core
member 62. First core member 61 may have a cylindrical shape. First
core member 61 has an outer circumferential surface 61a. The first
core member has an outer diameter D3. Second core member 62 may
have a cylindrical shape. Second core member 62 has an inner
circumferential surface 62a and an outer circumferential surface
62b. Second core member 62 has an inner diameter d3 and an outer
diameter D4.
First core member 61 is disposed inside restriction member 5. Outer
circumferential surface 61a of first core member 61 may be in
contact with inner circumferential surface 5c of restriction member
5. Outer circumferential surface 61a of first core member 61 may be
in contact with inner circumferential surface 62a of second core
member 62. In other words, outer diameter D3 and inner diameter d3
may be equal. Second core member 62 is disposed outside first core
member 61. In other words, first core member 61 is inserted inside
second core member 62. Second core member 62 may have an outer
circumferential surface in contact with inner circumferential
surface 1b of ball hitting portion 1. Outer diameter D4 may be
equal to inner diameter d1.
First core member 61 has a length L1, and second core member 62 has
a length L2. Length L1 is a length of first core member 61 in
longitudinal direction 10c. Length L2 is a length of second core
member 62 in longitudinal direction 10c. Length L1 may be equal to
length L2. Length L1 may be different from length L2. Length L1 and
length L2 are, for example, 120.0 mm or more and 300.0 mm or
less.
Outer diameter D3 is, for example, 25.0 mm or more and 45.0 mm or
less. Outer diameter D4 is 40.0 mm or more and 60.0 mm or less.
First core member 61 and second core member 62 may be of resin.
When first core member 61 and second core member 62 are made of
resin, first core member 61 and second core member 62 are made, for
example, of EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin), butadiene
rubber, ionomer or a similar thermoplastic elastomer. First core
member 61 and second core member 62 may be formed of thermoplastic
resin for example.
First core member 61 may be larger in hardness than second core
member 62. First core member 61 may have an Asker C hardness of 30
or more and 60 or less. Second core member 62 may have an Asker C
hardness of 10 or more and 30 or less. Note that Asker C hardness
is an index in hardness of resin defined in the Society of Rubber
Industry, Japan Standard SRIS0101.
First core member 61 may be higher in density than second core
member 62. First core member 61 may have a density of 0.05
g/cm.sup.3 or more and 1.26 g/cm.sup.3 or less. Second core member
62 may have a density of 0.02 g/cm.sup.3 or more and 0.16
g/cm.sup.3 or less.
(Method for Producing Bat According to Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a method for producing bat 10 according to an
embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the method for producing bat 10
according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the method for
producing bat 10 according to the embodiment includes a molding
step S10 and an assembling step S20.
In the molding step S10, ball hitting portion 1, grip portion 2 and
tapered portion 3 are molded. In the molding step S10, initially, a
prepreg (a sheet-like member which contains reinforcing fiber
impregnated with uncured thermosetting resin) is wound around a
mandrel.
Secondly, the mandrel is removed from the wound prepreg. Thirdly, a
tube is inserted into the wound prepreg. Fourthly, the wound
prepreg is placed inside a die. Fifthly the prepreg is heated. In
doing so, the prepreg is compressed externally and internally by
the die and the tube. The prepreg is thus set, and ball hitting
portion 1, grip portion 2 and tapered portion 3 are thus
molded.
After the molding step S10, the assembling step S20 is performed.
In the assembling step S20, restriction member 5 and core member 6
are inserted into ball hitting portion 1. Restriction member 5 and
core member 6 are inserted through opening 1a of ball hitting
portion 1. After restriction member 5 and core member 6 are
inserted, lid 4 is fitted in opening 1a. This completes production
of bat 10 according to the embodiment.
(Effect of Bat According to Embodiment)
Hereinafter, an effect of bat 10 according to the embodiment will
be described.
As a ball impacts ball hitting portion 1 repeatedly, the
coefficient of restitution of ball hitting portion 1 varies.
Particularly, in a case where ball hitting portion 1 is formed of
FRP, a ball repeatedly impacting ball hitting portion 1 delaminates
the FRP. When ball hitting portion 1 has the FRP delaminated, ball
hitting portion 1 is reduced in rigidity when it is annularly
compressed. As a result, the bat's coefficient of restitution
increases.
Competitive sports organizations such as the ASA (American Softball
Association), etc. require that bats for competitive sports games
pass the ABI (Accelerated Barrel Break-in Procedures) test to
prevent bats having excessive coefficients of restitution from
being used in competitive sports games. The ABI test requires that
a bat has a coefficient of restitution less than a predetermined
numerical value even after FRP is delaminated. Accordingly,
conventionally, bats have been designed to lower a coefficient of
restitution in an initial state so that the coefficient of
restitution is less than the predetermined numerical value even
after FRP is delaminated.
When bat 10 according to the embodiment is impacted by a ball at
ball hitting portion 1 the impact deforms ball hitting portion 1,
and accordingly, inner circumferential surface 1b contacts
restriction member 5. As a result, the deformation of ball hitting
portion 1 is suppressed by restriction member 5. As such, even when
a ball impacts ball hitting portion 1 repeatedly and the FRP is
delaminated, ball hitting portion 1 will never have a significantly
increased coefficient of restitution. Bat 10 according to the
embodiment can thus satisfy the requirement of the ABI test without
designing to reduce a coefficient of restitution in an initial
state. That is, bat 10 according to the embodiment allows setting
in the initial state a coefficient of restitution close to that
after FRP is delaminated, that is tolerated in the ABI test.
FIG. 5 is a graph representing how a coefficient of restitution of
bat 10 according to the embodiment varies between before and after
the ABI test. In FIG. 6, the axis of abscissa represents a hitting
point position. The hitting point position is represented by a
distance from first end 10a. In FIG. 6, the axis of ordinate
represents a coefficient of restitution. The ABI test is conducted
under conditions as published by competitive sports organizations,
respectively, such as ASA, and a coefficient of restitution is
measured according to ASTM 2219.
As shown in FIG. 5, bat 10 according to the embodiment shows
equivalent coefficients of restitution before and after the ABI
test. That is, bat 10 according to the embodiment suppresses an
increase of a coefficient of restitution even after FRP is
delaminated. Thus it has also been confirmed through an experiment
that bat 10 according to the embodiment suppresses an increase of a
coefficient of restitution even after FRP is delaminated.
Hereinafter, another effect of bat 10 according to the embodiment
will be described, as compared with a comparative example.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a bat 20 according to a
comparative example in longitudinal direction 10c. As shown in FIG.
6, bat 20 according to the comparative example has a washer member
7 disposed inside ball hitting portion 1. Washer member 7 is
disposed in ball hitting portion 1 in a vicinity of a sweet
spot.
Washer member 7 has a length T2 and a thickness W3. Washer member 7
has a washer-like shape. In other words, washer member 7 is in the
form of an annular sheet.
When bat 20 according to the comparative example is impacted by a
ball at ball hitting portion 1, inner circumferential surface 1b of
ball hitting portion 1 contacts washer member 7. As has been
discussed above, since washer member 7 has a washer-like shape
(i.e., washer member 7 has length T2 smaller than thickness W3), a
large stress concentration occurs in a vicinity of a portion where
inner circumferential surface 1b of ball hitting portion 1 and
washer member 7 are in contact with each other. As a result, bat 20
according to the comparative example may be impaired in
durability.
On the other hand, bat 10 according to the embodiment has
restriction member 5 as described above. Restriction member 5 is in
the form of a ring. Therefore, when inner circumferential surface
1b of ball hitting portion 1 contacts restriction member 5, a
stress concentration does not easily occur in a vicinity of a
portion where inner circumferential surface 1b of ball hitting
portion 1 and the restriction member are in contact with each
other. Bat 10 according to the embodiment can thus be improved in
durability while suppressing an increase of a coefficient of
restitution caused by delamination of FRP.
Hereinafter, an effect of bat 10 according to the embodiment will
more specifically be described.
When bat 10 has core member 6 the position of restriction member 5
inside ball hitting portion 1 can be restricted.
When core member 6 has first core member 61 and second core member
62 and first core member 61 is larger in hardness than second core
member 62, core member 6 can be inserted into ball hitting portion
1 with second core member 62 easily deformed. Thus, core member 6
can be easily inserted.
When first core member 61 is larger in hardness than second core
member 62, and a ball impacts ball hitting portion 1, second core
member 62 easily deforms, whereas first core member 61 does not
easily deform. Thus, first core member 61 restrains deformation of
the restriction member 5 from inside.
While the present invention has been described in embodiments, it
should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are
illustrative and non-restrictive in any respect. The scope of the
present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, and is
intended to include any modifications within the meaning and scope
equivalent to the terms of the claims.
* * * * *